SHERIFF’S POLICE BUST DOGFIGHT
IN PROGRESS

Wednesday, August 18, 2010— Three men have been charged with felonies after police raided a dogfight in progress on Chicago’s West Side, Sheriff Tom Dart announced Tuesday.

Anthony Are, 20, of the 2800 block of West Flournoy Street has been charged with one felony count of dogfighting. Gregory Johnson, 20, of the 1100 block of North LeClaire Ave. and Jeffrey Hall, 27, of the 400 block of South Central Ave., each have been charged with one felony count of attending a dogfight. Johnson has nineteen prior arrests, including charges for gambling and drug possession. Hall also has a long criminal history, including fourteen drug arrests and an obstruction of justice charge.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Animal Crimes Unit received information about a dogfight scheduled for Monday night on the West Side, and launched an investigation. On Monday at around 7:30 p.m., about one dozen men began congregating at a vacant house in the 3000 block of West Lexington St. Fifteen minutes later, a man arrived with a black and white pit bull on a leash and began speaking to the crowd. Shortly thereafter Anthony Are approached the home with a red pit bull.

The group then moved into the backyard. Ten minutes later, officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Animal Crimes Unit, Special Operations Unit and Gangs Unit surrounded the home and conducted the raid. Officers saw men standing in the alley at the entrance to the yard and the two pit bulls were locked in battle, with their handlers nearby. When those attending the fight saw the officers, they began to flee. Six people were taken into custody at the scene late Monday night and questioned about their involvement in the dogfighting ring. Three were charged Tuesday, including Are, who was one of the dogfighting handlers.

The two pit bulls are being housed at Chicago Animal Care and Control.

All three men will appear in bond court this morning. The investigation remains ongoing.